U.S. patent application number 13/015446 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-02 for cat grooming pad and method.
Invention is credited to David Haaf.
Application Number | 20120192802 13/015446 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46576273 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120192802 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haaf; David |
August 2, 2012 |
CAT GROOMING PAD AND METHOD
Abstract
A pet grooming pad, used alone, or in conjunction with pet
furniture for grooming a pet cat. The grooming pad is in the form
of a mat having a bottom surface for residing upon a support and a
top surface of a material capable of removing and trapping animal
fur. The top surface can contain a second region as well, the
second region being a grooming surface in the form of a plurality
of flexible nodules.
Inventors: |
Haaf; David; (San Rafael,
CA) |
Family ID: |
46576273 |
Appl. No.: |
13/015446 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
119/601 ;
119/600; 119/621 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 13/002 20130101;
A01K 13/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/601 ;
119/621; 119/600 |
International
Class: |
A01K 13/00 20060101
A01K013/00 |
Claims
1. A method of grooming a pet cat comprising introducing a grooming
pad to said pet cat, said grooming pad comprising a mat having a
bottom surface for residing upon a support and a top surface of a
material capable of removing and trapping animal fur.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said material capable of removing
and trapping animal fur comprises directional microfiber.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said material capable of removing
and trapping animal fur comprises unwoven fibers.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said unwoven fibers comprise
unwoven polyester fibers.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said top surface comprises at
least two regions, the first region comprising said material
capable of removing and trapping animal fur and said second region
comprising a plurality of flexible nodules.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein said flexible nodules comprise a
thermoplastic resin.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein each of said nodules are of a
constant size, shape, diameter and durometer.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein some of said nodules are of
different sizes, shapes or diameters of other of said nodules.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said support comprises pet
furniture.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said support comprises
flooring.
11. In combination, pet furniture and a pet grooming pad, said pet
grooming pad being selectively removable from said pet furniture,
said pet grooming pad comprising a mat having a bottom surface for
residing upon said pet furniture and a top surface of a material
capable of removing and trapping animal fur.
12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said material capable of
removing and trapping animal fur comprises directional
microfiber.
13. The combination of claim 11 wherein said material capable of
removing and trapping animal fur comprises unwoven fibers.
14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said unwoven fibers
comprise unwoven polyester fibers.
15. The combination of claim 11 wherein said top surface comprises
at least two regions, the first region comprising said material
capable of removing and trapping animal fur and said second region
comprising a plurality of flexible nodules.
16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said flexible nodules
comprise a thermoplastic resin.
17. The combination of claim 15 wherein each of said nodules are of
a constant size, shape, diameter and durometer.
18. The combination of claim 15 wherein some of said nodules are of
different sizes, shapes or diameters of other of said nodules.
19. A pet grooming pad in the form of a mat comprising a top
surface and a bottom surface, said top surface having first and
second regions, said first region comprising a material capable of
removing and trapping animal fur and said second region comprising
a plurality of flexible nodules.
20. The pet grooming pad of claim 19 wherein said material capable
of removing and trapping animal fur comprises directional
microfiber.
21. The pet grooming pad of claim 19 wherein said material capable
of removing and trapping animal fur comprises unwoven fibers.
22. The pet grooming pad of claim 21 wherein said unwoven fibers
comprise unwoven polyester fibers.
23. The pet grooming pad of claim 19 wherein said flexible nodules
comprise a thermoplastic resin.
24. The pet grooming pad of claim 19 wherein each of said nodules
are of a constant size, shape, diameter and durometer.
25. The pet grooming pad of claim 24 wherein some of said nodules
are of different sizes, shapes or diameters of other of said
nodules.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention involves a method of grooming a pet
cat in the form of a mat having a surface capable of removing and
trapping animal fur, alone, or with a grooming surface, the later
in the form of flexible nodules. The need to groom a pet cat is
well recognized and the present invention provides a unique surface
from which to do so.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is quite important for the health and well being of a pet
cat to provide proper grooming. Grooming is necessary for a cat's
health and well being. Often times, cats try to clean themselves
spending a good deal of time licking their fur and paws. However,
external grooming is also highly recommended as grooming
accomplishes much more than providing a healthy coat. It also
stimulates circulation, removes loose hair and helps prevent
matting.
[0003] Unfortunately, there have not been advances in the cat
grooming field for quite some time. Most grooming devices are in
the form of brushes which do not adequately retain cat fur and
other debris resulting from the grooming process. In addition, cats
do not find the bristles of the typical grooming brush to be
particularly pleasing and, as a consequence, cats often times shy
away from being groomed which, as noted above, can result in
adverse health related issues.
[0004] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
cat grooming method and pad for employing said method which cats
will find enjoyable and thus employ even without the involvement of
their owners.
[0005] These and further objects will be more readily appreciated
when considering the following disclosure and appended claims
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A pet grooming pad, used alone, or in conjunction with pet
furniture for grooming a pet cat. The grooming pad is in the form
of a mat having a bottom surface for residing upon a support and a
top surface of a material capable of removing and trapping animal
fur. The top surface can contain a second region as well, the
second region being a grooming surface in the form of a plurality
of flexible nodules.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
cat grooming pad of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an article of pet furniture
having the cat grooming pad selectively located thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as
to organization and method of operation, together with further
objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the
following description considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the
invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly
understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration
description only and are not intended as definitions of the limits
of the invention. The various features of novelty which
characterize the invention are recited with particularity in the
claims.
[0011] There has been broadly outlined more important features of
the invention in the summary above and in order that the detailed
description which follows may be better understood, and in order
that the present contribution to the art may be appreciated. There
are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be
described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter
of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based
readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other
structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several
purposes of the present invention. It is important therefore, that
claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
[0012] Certain terminology and the derivations thereof may be used
in the following description for convenience and reference only,
and will not be limiting. For example, words such as "upward,"
"downward," "left," and "right" refer to directions in the drawings
to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similar words
such as "inward" and "outward" refer to directions toward and away
from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and
designated parts thereof. Reference in the singular tense include
the plural and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.
[0013] The present invention can be most readily appreciated by
first turning to FIG. 1 FIG. 1 depicts the basic cat grooming pad
10 of the present invention having bottom surface 11 and top
surface 12, the latter composed of a material capable of removing
and trapping animal fur. An excellent example of such material is
directional microfiber. Generally, directional microfiber refers to
synthetic fibers that measure less than one denier, the most common
types being made from polyesters, polyamides such as nylon, Kevlar,
Nomex and trogamide or a conjugation of polyester and polyamide.
Being directional, the micro fiber will feel somewhat smooth when
stroked in a first direction but resistant to movement when stroked
in the opposite direction. This feature is important in realizing
the attributes of the present invention. A second excellent example
of a material useful in removing and trapping animal fur is a mat
of unwoven fibers such as unwoven polyester fibers which are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,804, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein. It is noted that such fibers are
naturally electrostatic (cationic) and, thus, cat hair and dander
tends to cling to this material.
[0014] When surface 12 of pad 10 is composed of directional
microfiber, a cat, residing or rolling over the surface will
appreciate its smooth supple feel in a first direction and a
rougher resistant feel in the opposite direction. The latter
attribute stimulates grooming while the microfiber can capture
dander and loose hair resulting from the grooming exercise.
[0015] As a second embodiment, reference is made to FIG. 2. In this
instance, composite grooming pad 20 is again provided with bottom
surface 21 for residing upon a support for maintaining composite
grooming pad 20 and top surface 22 exposed to one's pet cat. The
composite surface includes animal fur trapping material 23 which
functions in a manner identical to surface 12 of FIG. 1. However,
composite pad 20 further includes regions 24 in the form of a
plurality of flexible nodules. Although the pliable nodules can
take on a number of various configurations they are ideally
composed of rubber or rubber-like cylindrically shaped elements
which are a sufficient length to penetrate a cat's fur and yet be
soft and pliable enough so as not to abrade the cat's skin for it
to do so may encourage a cat to avoid the cat grooming and activity
device, generally. Thermoplastic resin is an ideal material having
nodules in the form of nubs consistent in size, shape, durometer
and diameter. Alternatively, some of the nodules are of different
sizes, shapes and/or diameters.
[0016] It has also been found that the combination of fur trapping
material 23 and nodules 24 create a synergy ideally suited for cat
grooming. Dander and loose hair that fall from the cat as a result
of the cat rolling and lounging upon region 24 can be picked up and
contained by material 23. Further, each region provides a different
feel or stimulation to the cat thus increasing interest and
maximizing sought after results. Dander, fur, dust and the like can
easily be removed particularly from region 24 with the aid of an
ordinary vacuum cleaner, tape or a moist cloth.
[0017] It is noted that both cat grooming pads 10 and 20 can be
employed by simply allowing them to rest upon a horizontal surface.
These pads can also be employed to increase the overall pet
experience by situating the pads onto surfaces of pet furniture. As
an example, reference is made to FIG. 3.
[0018] In turning to FIG. 3, furniture 30 is depicted which
includes a tunnel portion 31 creating area 32 which cats oftentimes
will use for privacy. Furniture 30 also includes planar extension
37 emanating from tunnel region 31. Cat grooming pad 33 can be
placed upon planar extension 37, in this instance, pad 33 having
top surface 34 including region 35 and flexible nodule regions 36.
In its preferred embodiment, grooming pad 33 can be caused to
simply reside upon planar extension 37 and be removable therefrom
for cleaning and for enabling a pet owner to simply move the cat
grooming pad to another location enabling the cat to use furniture
30 without any additional grooming feature. This not only expands
the flexibility of pet furniture 30 but also of pad 33.
[0019] The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary
skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best
mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the
inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete
disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is not
desired to limit the invention to the exact construction,
dimensions, relationships, or operations as described. Various
modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents
will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed
as suitable without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials,
components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms,
functions, operational features or the like. Therefore, the above
description and illustration should not be considered as limiting
the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended
claims.
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